VO2 Max

During exercise VO₂ Max is the point at which the body can no longer increase the amount of oxygen it uses despite the intensity of exercise increasing. If the intensity of exercise increases further the body starts to work anaerobically and lactic acid is produced. However, in most people lactic acid builds to painful levels below their VO2Max, this point is called the anaerobic threshold.

The definition of VO2Max is "the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight" and has the units mL/kg/min.

VO2Max can be estimated in a number of ways but the only accurate way to measure it is by using expensive equipment to directly measure the compositon of the gases entering and exiting the body using exercise.

An approximate value of VO2max can be obtained from the Cooper test in which the distance covered running in 12 minutes is measured.

An approximate correlation (from 1 below) is VO2max = (Distance covered in metres - 505)/45

External links

• What is VO₂ max?
• Maximal Oxygen Consumption - The VO₂ max?
• VO₂ max on Sports Coach